Dog pound services contract is finally awarded by council

DOG pound services for South Dublin County Council will now be provided by Midland Animal Care Ltd at their facility in Newcastle, marking “a new chapter” in dog-pound provision in the county.

The council awarded the contract to Midland Animal Care last week, after repeated calls by councillors for a new contractor to be found as the former provider, Ashton Dog Pound, is the subject of legal proceedings in relation to allegations of animal cruelty.

The council’s 12-month contract with Midland Animal Care, who operate Hollygrove Kennels in Newcastle, will commence on October 1.

They will also provide dog-shelter services at the facility for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and Fingal county councils.

The company was established in 2014 to deliver dog-shelter services for city and county councils, and it currently provides this service for Meath, Roscommon, Carlow, Kilkenny, and Clare county councils.

Fianna Fáil councillor Teresa Costello, who had voiced concerns about Ashton Pound at numerous council meetings, told The Echo: “I’m really happy just to move on from Ashton and have a fresh start with Midland.

“I like that the pound is located in the county, and that they’ve been established since 2014. None of us know what the future holds, but I’m certainly hopeful.”

Cllr Costello added that she’s hoping to visit the facility in the near future, and she will be “taking a personal interest in it”.

The council’s decision to award the contract to Midland has also been welcomed by Independent councillor Francis Timmons, who said he hopes it will mark “a new chapter” in dog-shelter provision within the council.

Cllr Timmons said: “I am delighted that a new dog-shelter provider has been found.

“The contract has gone to Midland Animal Care Limited [who] will be appointed to provide a dog shelter and related services for South Dublin County Council for the next 12 months.

“The council also has two full-time dog wardens who will continue to provide dog-warden services for South Dublin.

“I look forward to visiting and working with the new provider and SDCC to help to deliver effective, welfare-driven, dog-shelter services for the county.

“I had many concerns about the treatment of dogs in the past and I hope this is a new chapter in dog-shelter provision within SDCC.”

All Midland Animal Care staff members working with dogs on behalf of South Dublin County Council will be trained to veterinary nurse standard or equivalent.

The company currently has working arrangements with four registered veterinary practices for the provision of veterinary and animal welfare services.